Court Grants N1bn Bail to 109 Foreign Nationals in Cybercrime Case

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to 109 foreign nationals accused of attempting to defraud Nigerians, in the total sum of N1 billion.

Trial Judge Justice Ekerete Akpan further ordered the defendants, who were previously remanded in custody, to produce five sureties, each with a N200 million bail bond.

The court emphasized that the sureties must submit an affidavit of means and own properties in the Abuja metropolis valued at no less than N200 million. It further directed that the title deeds of these properties be submitted to the Deputy Chief Registrar for verification, along with the residential addresses of the sureties.

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Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports and prohibited them from leaving the country until the conclusion of their trial. Both the defendants and their sureties are required to submit two recent passport photographs. The defendants will remain in custody until all bail conditions are met.

While the male defendants have been remanded at Kuje prison, the female defendants will be held at Keffi prison in Nasarawa State.

The case has been adjourned to February 27, 2025, for trial.

The defendants, identified as citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, face a six-count charge filed by the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

Through their legal team, led by Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, and Eric Oba, the defendants applied for bail, stating their willingness to stand trial and assuring the court that they would not flee the country.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr. A. A. Egwu, said he left the bail decision to the court but urged it to impose conditions to ensure the defendants’ attendance at trial.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were translated into their respective languages by interpreters.

Notably, five Brazilian defendants—Lucas Costa Da Silva, Renan Ricardo Souza Rocha, Nelson Rocha Cardoso Neto, Rhuan Filippe Albuquerque Le Lonnes, and Aguiar Rodrigues Djeanne—had previously requested to be tried separately.

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Police informed the court that the defendants were arrested in a building at Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were allegedly engaged in cybercrime activities. They are also charged with money laundering and residing in Nigeria illegally.

The six-count charge includes conspiracy to commit cybercrime, unlawfully accessing computers and networks to manipulate data, promoting fraudulent gambling platforms, and removing proceeds from operating unregistered gambling sites such as 9f.com, cz.top, and 8pg.top.

The defendants were further accused of entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed, or neglected to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit and remained in Nigeria without a valid resident permit or appropriate valid visa and you thereby contrary to section 4 (2) and punishable under section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 2015.”

Those cited as defendants in the matter are: Hanfu E, Chen Slin, Yang Yang, Peng Guang, Yan ha Wen, Wang Shan, Jun, Wang Zhan, Hang G, U Xlao Fen, Xiegang Bing. Zheng Peng Zhan, Shut at.

Jupanpan, Wang Zha Zhou tong, Fens Guo, Lichang Miao, Huang Da Dian, His Ming, Li Fang, Zhao Vifan, Wu Chao, Cal Jun Ping. Wei Jun, Mahunan, Ye um Feng. Al tun, A Feng, Xiao Bei, Lin Wet lie, Yun Ha, lI Fei, Xiao ling Qing. Ye Jun Shan, Sun Qang Qiang, Chen Ming lie, Chen lia lia, Zheng han Feng, Zhang Xiong Sheng, Niu Zhi, Chen Brao, Cuivi Fei, LIl Chang. Wang Shou Cheng, Hua lian Guo, Zheng Peng Fei, Ling Zhe Ming. Wang Xur Ze, Wei Tang, Wang Hao, Wang Y Bo, Cheng Xing, Wang Yong Xing, Chen Yan QI, Yang Xu Gung, Zhu Jiu Hui, Shi Hag Jie, Zhou Kia Lal, Xie Pan, Tu Xue File, Zixi Chen, Cheng Zeng Bin, (All of who are Chinese Citizens), Maydianto, Linda Wati (Indonesians), Dan The Anh, ChalTu Cuong, Nguyen Dac Duoc, Nguyen Thi Sen and Tran Van Khaih.

Others are: Nguyen Van Hal, Hoang Le Chien, Vu Xuan Hiep, Ngo Van Hung, Hoang Van Thanh, Nguyen Manh Duc, Tran Van Luc, Phan Duc Thien, Phan Viet Dung, Trieu Van Pu, Pham Thite Uyen, To A Si, Vi Phi Nghi, Dinh Thi Qynh, Sa Thi Gam, Pham Trong Thanu, Ho The Huong (Vietnam Citizens), Jay Mhar Avile Delos Reyes, John Mark Aviles Delos Reyes, Jeffery Ama, Asriya S. Ahmad, Charie Cervartes, Jamel Pabili Aviles, Airah Ivy Lacerna Defeo, Angelica Tayao Ama, Lovely Eidly Tayao Ama (Philippines), Panupong Wanasak, Aatairat See Ni, Laongdao Saeguang, Achalar Saeyang, Galin Suphaaut (Thailand Citizens), See Yixiong, Loh Wai Fong, Lee Chee Hau (Malaysians), Wai Thon Tun and Khun Chan Min Paing See (Myanmar).

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